1. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
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(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
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Session 1

2. ?

3. The Great Commission
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

4. Purpose of the Church
…to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

5. The Mission Field Definition
The mission field of a local faith community is its parish, whether defined geographically or by affinity group.
The Mission Field Definition

6. The community that surrounds our faith communities is being called “the mission field.”
This Bible Study is intended to help local faith communities
self-assess their mission-field effectiveness and assist in planning their next steps.

7. John 15: A vine bearing good fruit
On the Road to Emmaus: Sad and disheartened like Cleopas and companion as they walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus on Easter evening (Luke 24)
Ezekiel 37: Valley of dry bones waiting for new life
Fishing boat: Tossed on stormy seas
(Luke 8:22-25, etc.)
Corinth: A church in conflict
(I Corinthians 4-5)
Jonah: Avoiding God's call (Jonah 1)
Timothy: Eager to engage in this new work, but wanting and needing guidance and instruction (2 Timothy 1)
Isaiah 40: Waiting patiently on God
The Disciples prior to Feeding the 5000: Sensing the need, but overwhelmed by the task (Matthew 14, etc.)
Laodicea: A church with lukewarm faith
(Revelation 3)
Eli and his sons: Difficulty in passing mantle of leadership to the next generation (I Samuel 2)
Other: ____________________

8. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Session 2

9. Engaging Your Mission Field
If we were writing a 3 chapter book titled “Living as Christ Directed,” what should the titles of those 3 chapters be?

10. Engaging Your Mission Field
Matthew 28:18-20  
Matthew 22:35-40
Matthew 25:14-30

12. Engaging Your Mission Field
Matthew 9:27-34 Matthew 14:34-36 Mark 2:1-12 Mark 10:13-16 John 12:44-50
Engaging Your Mission Field

13. Engaging Your Mission Field
Matthew 9:35-36 John 21:15-17
Engaging Your Mission Field

14. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Session 3

15. The Mission Field Definition
The mission field of a local faith community is its parish, whether defined geographically or by affinity group.
The Mission Field Definition

16. Engaging Your Mission Field
Luke 10:25-37

17. Engaging Your Mission Field
What do you consider to be your congregation’s mission field?
How many people live within your mission field?
What is their average age?
Income level?
Family situation (married, single, single parent household, etc.)?
What are the main subcultures?

18. Engaging Your Mission Field
On a scale of 1 to 4 please rate your congregation's connection to its mission field:
We do our own thing
We know we’re disconnected
We’re making adjustments to accommodate and/or invite our mission field
Our ministry reflects and is in touch with our mission field 1 2 3 4

19. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Session 4

20. Conversion Version
Paul (Acts 9) – dramatic, one-time event Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) believed in God for a time before knowing Christ Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34) a crisis conversion Timothy (Acts 16:1-3, 2 Timothy 1:4-7) grew up in the faith

21. Read Genesis 18:1-8
What did Abraham show hospitality for his guest? Who were his guests? What does this passage tell us about how we should welcome others?

22. Hospitality
Hebrews 3:12 Matthew 25:34-30 Deuteronomy 10:19 Matthew 22:8-10 Romans 15:7

23. Connecting with Christ
On a scale of 1 to 4 please rate your system for making disciples:
We don’t intentionally make disciples
We’re considering starting a disciple-making system
We have parts of a system in place
Disciple-making is what we do 1 2 3 4

24. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Session 3

25. Developing Disciples
What does being a disciple mean to you?

26. A Disciple is…
One who responds to God’s invitation to follow Christ in community by doing and becoming like Jesus through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

27. Supporting Disciples
Believer vs. Disciple

28. Immediately they left their nets and followed Jesus.
Supporting Disciples
Immediately they left their nets and followed Jesus.
Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 2: 13-14

29. Supporting Disciples Matthew 5:1 and John 14:15-26
Image from:
Matthew 5:1 and John 14:15-26

30. John Wesley and Early Methodist
Supporting Disciples
John Wesley and Early Methodist
Image from:

31. Supporting Disciples
Developing Disciples
Supporting Disciples

32. Developing Disciples
On a scale of 1 to 4 please rate your small group and disciple support system:
We have no plans for disciple support
We’re considering a disciple support program
We’re starting a disciple support program right now
We have disciple support in place 1 2 3 4

33. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Session 6

34. The Mission Field Definition
The mission field of a local faith community is its parish, whether defined geographically or by affinity group.
The Mission Field Definition

35. A Disciple is…
One who responds to God’s invitation to follow Christ in community by doing and becoming like Jesus through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

36. Disciples Transform the World
To change in composition or structure
To change in character or condition:
convert
To change the outward form or appearance of

37. Disciples Transform the World
Acts 9:1-22, 17:1-9

38. Disciples Transform the World

39. Disciples Transform the World
On a scale of 1 to 4 please rate your congregation's success at engaging people in direct ministries of transforming the world:
We give money but aren’t directly involved in transformational missions
We have a few who are directly involved in transformational missions
Many are directly involved in transformational missions
Most are directly involved in transformational missions 1 2 3 4

40. Discovering Your Church’s Story: A Bible Study
This slideshow includes animations.
Background Slides:
1. Each individual slide will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next slide.
Getting Ready Slides:
(Note – Question 2 is presented on 3 slides. The first two slides include 6 Bible verses on each page, displayed in larger font size for a quick introduction to the choices provided. The last slide displays all 12 verses and can be used for a greater time of reflection of the choices provided.
Sections A – E Slides:
1. Each individual question will flow content automatically through the use of animations.
Bullet points and second paragraphs will automatically display through the use of animations.
2. Click to advance to the next question displayed on a given slide.
3. Click to advance to the next slide.
Overview

41. Overall Rating and Reflection
How would you rate your faith community overall in its involvement with its mission field?
Won’t leave the building
At the doorstep
On the sidewalk
Walking alongside the community in direct ministry to community need 1 2 3 4

42. Overall Rating and Reflection
Is your study group comfortable/satisfied with where your faith community is along this spectrum? Please explain.
Is it your perception that the entire faith community would agree with your assessment?
Is there a desire within your faith community to move to the next step? What do you think it will take to do this? List specific steps you could take.